The Standing Committee is responsible for providing general policy and operational direction to the Secretariat regarding implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and it coordinates and advises the Animals and Plants Committees, as appropriate. It also carries out any activities assigned to it between meetings of the Conference of the Parties and is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of the Secretariat’s budget. The Standing Committee comprises representatives from each of the six CITES geographical regions and meets annually, as well as immediately prior to and following a meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

Become an Observer

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wishing to attend the 69th Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee (SC69), which will be held November 27-December 1, 2017, in Geneva, Switzerland, must obtain approval from the CITES Secretariat to attend the meeting.

In accordance with Rule 6 of the Standing Committee Rules of Procedure, any person or body wishing to participate in a meeting of the Committee as an observer must submit the registration form to the Secretariat at least 30 days before the meeting (for SC69, that date is October 28, 2017). Find more information on SC69 and a link to the registration form here.

In addition to submitting the registration form, prospective observers must provide relevant information with regard to their technical qualifications and proof of approval of the State in which the organization or individual is located. Organizations seeking observer approval that are located in the United States must submit a request for observer approval via either mail, fax, or email to:

Additionally, all participants will be required to present official credentials to attend the meeting. Credentials may be submitted to the Secretariat in advance or on the first day of attendance at the meeting. An agenda and working documents will also be posted on the CITES website before the meeting.